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Nusayris
Arabic:
nusayriyya
Religious orientaiton, which commonly is defined as a branch of Shi'i Islam. The Nusayri orientation has been central in the formation or change of other religious groups which may not be classified as Shi'i, mainly Alawism of Syria and Alevism of Turkey.
Alawism is often referred to as Nusayrism, and other Muslims of Syria often refer to Alawites as Nusayris.
The origins of the term Nusayri is of interest. This Arabic term is has clear similarities to the term for Christians nasraniyy, the roots beeing respectively "n-s-r" and "n-s-r-n". Hence it has been suggested that the nusayris have relations to Christianity. The other understaning of the term is that it may be linked to the Khurrami leader Narseh, known as Nasir the Kurd, who settled in Byzantine Empire in the 9th century, fleeing the Abbasid Caliphate. His followers were persecuted and as many as 60,000 killed by Muslims in retaliation of their faith.
The Nusayri branch broke with the Sevener Shi'is in 874.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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